Report September 25, 2008

The Paterson Education Fund (PEF) is a not-for- Searching for a Super Super profit organization whose mission is to stimulate As the citizens of Paterson come together to make community action for change recommendations to the Governor about a new State so that the ensure that all Superintendent, we need to consider how we can be successful. Paterson children achieve high standards. Dr. Ron Epps, formerly Paterson’s Stupski Foundation team leader,

Goals and Dr. Clement Price, chair of the Newark Superintendent Search Committee, shared with us the following ideas: *To build our community's civic capacity to support monitor and advocate 1. If Paterson is to prosper, our schools must succeed education reform. -for all our children.

*To educate and enable community leadership to 2. We are where we are. We might not think that this is the best understand and act on process, but it’s the one we have. Make it succeed. changing educational needs.

*To provide a forum for the 3. We must use our diversity as a strength or else we will be community to effectively defeated by our differences. Look for common ground. participate in the decision making processes concerning education 4. The job of the search committee is not Paterson Education Fund is a member of the Public Education only to identify the Network (PEN), founded in best candidates, but 1991. The mission of PEN is to to create a platform build public demand and mobilize resources for quality for success for our education for all children next superintendent. through a national constituency of local education funds and Can we create the individuals. The Paterson conditions for 6 Education Fund is a founding years of success? member.

Paterson Education Fund 152 Market St. Suite 208 5. This superintendent search is about all of our children. Paterson, NJ 07505 973-881-8914 voice 973-881-8059 Fax www.paterson-education.org PEF will continue to follow the process closely and post materials

Public involvement to our website, www.paterson-education.org, under the Learn tab. Public education Public benefit

Paterson Education Fund Who is the Search Committee? Board of Directors Dr. Leslie Agard-Jones, resident of Paterson; E-mail: Jamie Dykes, Chair [email protected]; Employment: Retired, Dean of the Greater Paterson Chamber of Commerce College of Education and Professor, William Paterson University; Consultant ; Education: Doctorate in Higher Librada Sanchez, Vice Chair Education Administration; Family: Wife, and 2 kids both Women’s Center, living out of state; Past and Current Involvement in the William Paterson University Paterson Public Schools: Served as Liaison to the Board, Susan White, Treasurer appointed by State Commissioner for several years; Civic McKinley, White and Co. Involvements As program officer for the Taub Foundation in Paterson, have worked with many non-profits in the city. Have you Karen Brown attended any school board meetings? At least 4 of the last 6. Family Passaic County Clerk members who work for the Paterson Public Schools: None. Do you or your

Dino Callegari, Wells Fargo company hold any contracts with the Paterson Public Schools or the NJ Department of Education? None Guinera Curry, William Paterson University Herman Badillo, New York, NY; Work Phone: (212) 732-9000 Ext. 4125; E-mail: [email protected] * (*the character after the letter "w" Rahsonna Smith Elder, is number "1"); Employment: Of Counsel at Sullivan Papain Block McGrath Inner Faith Performing Arts Center & Cannavo, P.C.; Education: Bachelor of Business

Evangeline Gomez, Esq Administration, City College of New York; Juris Doctor, Brooklyn Law School; Family: Married; Past and Current Eddie Gonzalez, NJCDC Involvement in the Paterson Public Schools: None; Civic Involvements: President, 100 Hispanic Men; Have you Karen Mayo-Hogan, attended any school board meetings? None. Family members Parent who work for the Paterson Public Schools: None. Do you or your company hold any contracts with the Paterson Public Schools or the NJ Andre Sayegh, Paterson Alliance Department of Education? None

Isa Suqi, Zynide “Z” Banks, resident of Paterson; Work phone: 973- 321- NextWave Web LLC 2299; Fax: 973- 321- 2298; E-mail: [email protected]; Employment: Paterson Public Jerry Traille, State Farm Schools, School Nurse; Education: MA Educational Leadership, Professional Registered Nurse (RN), Don Vanderbeck, Jr. CJ Vanderbeck and Son Professional in Human Resources (PHR- inactive); Family: Mother of two, Grandmother of three; Past and Current Involvement in the Paterson Public Schools: Employer for Dr. Dennis Clancy, 15 years; Past Facilitator – School Management Team – EHS, Paterson ex-officio Education Association (PEA), Executive Board member, Affirmative Action Interim State Superintendent Representative, Senior Class Advisor – Panther Academy; Civic PEF Staff Involvements: Executive Board of Directors, Passaic County Healthy Irene Sterling, President Mothers Healthy Babies; American Cancer Society (Breast Cancer Rosie Grant, Program Director Awareness and Relay for Life); Coordinator (Panther Academy & CUMAC- Anna Villalongo, Associate Director ECHO) End Hunger in our Community; Committee member – School of Outreach Breakfast initiative (CUMAC-ECHO) Coordinator (Panther Academy & Linda Reid, Office Manager Sam Hinds, Family Friendly Computer Prison Ministries) Angel Tree Project. Have you attended any school board Trainer meetings? Three. Family members who work for the Paterson Public Shandora Balmer, Intern Schools: daughter. P. 2 Who is the Search Committee?

Jose Luis Castro, Home phone: 973-523-5190, E-mail: [email protected]; Employment: Pastor of Iglesia Bautista Central, Education: Master Divinity and Master in Sacred Theology; Family: Wife and three Children. Family members who work for the Paterson Public Schools: None; Do you or your company hold any contracts with the Paterson Public Schools or the NJ Department of Education? None.

Dr. Linda Crescione, resident of Glen Rock; Work Phone: 973 321-009; E-mail: [email protected]; Employment: Principal, CJR # 9, Paterson Public Schools; Education: BA – William Paterson U, Elementary Education; MA –Montclair State U, Pupil Personnel Services; Ed.D – Seton Hall University, Educational Leadership; Family: single; Past and Current Involvement in the Paterson Public Schools: Educator with Paterson Public Schools for 37 years. During this time, I have held the positions of classroom teacher; Vice Principal; Principal of PS # 17 and for the past 13 years, I have served as Principal of CJR # 9. Civic Involvements: PEF; Have you attended any school board meetings? Yes. Family members who work for the Paterson Public Schools: None. Do you or your company hold any contracts with the Paterson Public Schools or the NJ Department of Education? None

Norberto Curitomai, Express Shuttle, 96 Barclay Street, Paterson, NJ 07503; Work Phone: 973 881- 9133; Fax: 973 881-1002; E-mail: [email protected]; Employment: President of Airport Service Corp; Education: High School; Family: Wife and 5 children; Past and Current Involvement in the Paterson Public Schools: None; Civic Involvements: Founder of Peruvian American Political Action Committee Inc.. Have you attended any school board meetings? None. Family members who work for the Paterson Public Schools: None; Do you or your company hold any contracts with the Paterson Public Schools or the NJ Department of Education? None

Maritza Davila, resident of Paterson; Work phone: 973-684-6307; Fax: 973-684-6778; E-mail: [email protected]. Employment Assistant Director of Admissions, Passaic County Community College; Education: Public school #20 class of 85, Eastside High School class of 89, Monmouth University, Bachelor of Arts, Communications - Public Relations/Journalism & Fairleigh Dickinson University MAS, Masters in Administrative Science. Family: 1 son. Past and Current Involvement in the Paterson Public Schools: 14 years of experience working with our Paterson children through the admissions process for Passaic County Community College. Provided workshops for parents and high school seniors to promote the importance of higher education. Participant of the Its Your life 411 programs in Passaic County, a pro-active role-playing program that teaches 7th & 8th graders decision making skills, character education, consequences of high risk behaviors and how to access services from different agencies in the county. Civic Involvements: Past board president for Community Action for Social Affairs, INC. (CASA). Volunteer in the food pantry as well as the Christmas toy drive. Member of the National Education Association (NEA), The Middle States Association of Collegiate Registrars and officers of Admission (MSACROA), the Passaic County School Counselors Association (PCSCA) and the Association for College Admissions Counseling (NJACAC). Have you attended any school board meetings? Yes. Family members who work for the Paterson Public Schools: None; Do you or your company hold any contracts with the Paterson Public Schools or the NJ Department of Education? None.

p. 3 Who is the Search Committee?

Bob Guarasci, NJCDC, 32 Spruce Street, Paterson, NJ 07501; Work phone: 973-413-1600; E-mail: [email protected]; Employment: President, NJ Community Development Corporation (NJCDC); Education: BA, George Washington University; Past and Current Involvement in the Paterson Public Schools: Work in partnership with the school district operating an Abbott preschool, Garrett Morgan Academy, and after-school programs; Civic Involvements: President of Paterson Alliance, Board member of Passaic County CASA and Northern NJ Maternal-Child Health Consortium; Have you attended any school board meetings:3 of the last 4; Family members who work for the Paterson Public Schools: None. Do you or your company hold any contracts with the Paterson Public Schools or the NJ Department of Education? Yes

Evangeline Gomez, Esq.; E-mail: [email protected]; Employment: Attorney; Education: The Ohio State University, B.A., Rutgers School of Law- Newark, J.D.; Family: The Cordero/Gomez Family; Past and Current Involvement in the Paterson Public Schools: Activities through Paterson Education Fund; Civic Involvements: Paterson Education Fund (PEF), Vice President, 2005; Chair, 2006-2008; Trustee; Hyacinth AIDS Foundation, Trustee 2005-2007; St. Paul’s CDC, former Trustee. Have you attended any school board meetings? Yes. Family members who work for the Paterson Public Schools: None. Do you or your company hold any contracts with the Paterson Public Schools or the NJ Department of Education? None.

Wendy Guzman, resident of Paterson, Home phone: 973-689-6575; E-mail: [email protected]; Employment: Full time mom; Education: Passaic County Technical Institute; Bergen Community College; Family: Married with one child. Past and Current Involvement in the Paterson Public Schools: Volunteered in day care centers with Mu Sigma Upsilon Sorority. Mentor a group of students. Civic Involvements: Member, Sociedad Pro-Desarollo De Ranchete, Dominican Political Representation (DOPOR), ACORN, Vi Queen of Dominican State Parade and Festival NJ 2004. Certified tax preparer. Certified lead technician. Licensed Notary Public. Have you attended any school board meetings? Yes. Family members who work for the Paterson Public Schools: None. Do you or your company hold any contracts with the Paterson Public Schools or the NJ Department of Education? None.

Jonathan Hodges, M.D., resident of Paterson; Work Phone: (973) 321-0980; Education: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Wake Forest University, Bowman Gray School of Medicine; Past and Current Involvement in the Paterson Public Schools: EHS School Management team. Board Member, Two time Board President, Past Lecturer; Civic Involvements: Past member of Paterson Education Fund, Board of YMCA; Have you attended any school board meetings? All of them; Family members who work for the Paterson Public Schools: None. Do you or your company hold any contracts with the Paterson Public Schools or the NJ Department of Education? None.

P. 4

Who is the Search Committee?

Errol Kerr, resident of Paterson; Home Phone: 973-742-7042; E-mail: ekerr@ gloryusa.com; Employment: Glory USA Inc. Logistic Department Supervisor; Education:; B.Sc. Business Administration, Ramapo College; Married with two children and a grandson; Past and Current Involvement in the Paterson Public Schools: Member of the J F K HS Home School Council; Vice President of the Paterson Board of Education; Civic Involvements: VP of the Caribbean Empowerment Program of NJ, Member of the NAACP. Have you attended any school board meetings? All of them; Family members who work for the Paterson Public Schools : None. Do you or your company hold any contracts with the Paterson Public Schools or the NJ Department of Education? None

Rev. Dr. James A. Kuykendall, resident of Paterson, Work Phone: 973-278-4390, E-mail: [email protected]; Employment ; Senior Pastor, Agape Christian Ministries; Chief Chaplain, Passaic County Jail; Education: Montclair State, Ramapo State College, Hawthorne Gospel Bible Institute, Shiloh Theological Seminary – Doctor of Divinity, New Direction Inc. – Drug/Alcoholic Counseling, Mason Kelly Washington Religious Training Institute – Professional Chaplain; Family: Wife, daughter and grandson; Past and Current Involvement in the Paterson Public Schools: Paterson Pastors Workshop Adopt-A-School Initiative; Civic Involvements: President, Paterson Pastors Workshop; Municipal Leader, Paterson Democratic Committee; Vice President, Paterson Democratic Club; Chaplain, Paterson Police Department; Have you attended any school board meetings? Yes; Family members who work for the Paterson Public Schools: None. Do you or your company hold any contracts with the Paterson Public Schools or the NJ Department of Education? No

Kenneth Morris, resident of Paterson, Work Phone: 973-720-9171; E-mail: [email protected]; Employment: Director of Governmental Affairs, St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center; Education: BFA.,Cleveland Institute of Art and Case Western Reserve Medical School; M.A. Montclair State University and Master of Health Care Administration, Seton Hall University. Family: Two daughters; Past and Current Involvement in the Paterson Public Schools: Have been actively involved with the Board of Education and schools throughout my career. Civic Involvements: Councilman-at-Large, 2002 to the present; Council President, 2005-08; Chair, Home Care Options Visiting Nurse Service; past Chair, Paterson Education Fund; Board member of Paterson YMCA, Greater Paterson Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Passaic County ; Adjunct professor at William Paterson University. Have you attended any school board meetings? Yes. Family members who work for the Paterson Public Schools: Sister. Do you or your company hold any contracts with the Paterson Public Schools or the NJ Department of Education? None

Nina Odatella, E-mail: [email protected]; Employment: Teacher, International High School, Paterson Public Schools; Education: MA in Education, BA in History; Past and Current Involvement in the Paterson Public Schools: Social Studies teacher at the International High School for last 5 years. Have you attended any school board meetings? Yes. Family members who work for the Paterson Public Schools: None. Do you or your company hold any contracts with the Paterson Public Schools or the NJ Department of Education? None

P. 5 Who is the Search Committee?

Linda G. Smith, resident of Paterson; Work Phone: 973-754-4233; Employment: Supervisor of Case Management, St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center; Education: Bachelor of Arts + 15 credits towards Masters; Past and Current Involvement in the Paterson Public Schools: Advocate; Multi-Ethnic Task Force (Co-Chair); Community Advisory Committee; Past Member Cultural Diversity Committee; Civic Involvements: President, Paterson Branch NAACP; Past President & Current Chairperson of Dr. Betty Shabazz Delta Academy (a mentoring program) for Paterson Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; Member, Calvary Baptist Church -Sunday School Teacher – Choir Member – Chair, Social Ministries; Member Mayor Task Force for UNCF; Member, Paterson-Passaic/Bergen Counties HIV Planning Council; Member, Passaic County Section of NCNW; Commissioner, Passaic County Board of Social Services (Chairwoman); Treasurer, African Heritage Parade Committee, Inc.; Have you attended any school board meetings? Yes. Family members who work for the Paterson Public Schools: Niece and Nephew (Teachers); Sister (Instructional Assistant). Do you or your company hold any contracts with the Paterson Public Schools or the NJ Department of Education? None Known

Willa Spicer, Deputy Commissioner, NJ Department of Education, Trenton, 609-984-5069.

Willa Mae Taylor, resident of Paterson; Home phone: 973-279-369; Employment: full time volunteer; Education: Graduate PS#8, Central High School in Paterson, Graduate of FDU, B.S. in Elementary Ed., Graduate-M.A. in Admin. & Supervision from WPU; Family: widow, 3 children, 11 grandchildren and 1 great-grand daughter; Past and Current Involvement in the Paterson Public Schools: P.T.A. member, HSCC member, participant in youth fairs, currently a member of Paterson Bd. of Ed- former scoutmaster, NSW; Civic involvements: youth leader, former girls scout leader, YMCA, former Bd. member of YMCA, youth leader at Central Pres. Church, member of NAACP, NCNW, Vice President of AARP Chapter #15, GAP member, HESC member, convener for presbyteries for NJ, member of United Presbyterian church, mentor at WPU. Have you attended any school board meetings? All of them; Family members who work for the Paterson Public Schools: None. Do you or your company hold any contracts with the Paterson Public Schools or the NJ Department of Education? None

This report is provided as a public service by the Paterson Education Fund. Committee members were asked to fill out a questionnaire. Some members did not provide answers to all the questions, so that information is not available.